My Booktastic Blog

So I'm a third year photography student who loves nothing more than to read a book when I'm done taking the photos. I always finish a book and normally want to scream at whoever is around how good it is but that would just be silly. So instead I'm going to rave about them on here for all you cherubs to enjoy! Now I've said that I hope people read it...! Also I will rate the books with biscuits instead of the traditional method, just to keep things interesting. Follow me on twitter @BooktasticBlog

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The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Sorry for a lack of posts this week, university has been crazy busy and this is the first bit of down time I've had where I can share my books with you. 

Today I have decided to share The Fault In Our Stars because it has to be my favourite book ever, which is a bit of a shock for me because there is no crime or detective work in this, and that's my literary staple. I decided to read this because 1) I'd recently got into the Vlog Brothers and it was around the time the movie was coming out so there was a lot of talk from John and Hank about TFIOS and 2) the rest of the world was going crazy for it so I thought I would give it a chance. I am so glad I did. 

I was worried at first that I wouldn't like it because I don't like mushy books. However that worry diminished in the first sentence, literally. The reason for this is because John Green writes exactly like he speaks and I was hooked on his Vlogs, so I instantly became hooked on the story. I read this book ridiculously quickly, I've only had this happen once before, where I just couldn't put it down (in the end I had to because I nearly fell asleep). Collectively I think this book took me 4-5 hours to read. Its the perfect recipe; a good amount of humour, with a little heart ache (I cried! I never cry at anything!), great honesty and a beautiful blossoming romance. 

I've also never felt so strongly about characters and connected to them in the way TFIOS made me. John Green is a genius! The way he has dealt with such a difficult situation, I feel, was done excellently. Its really honest but he hasn't done it in a horribly depressing way, so I feel this helped me connect with the situation more. 

For this genius book, I am going to give TFIOS 11 out of 10 cookies! 

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The Storyteller by Jodi Piccoult

Today I am sharing with you a beautiful story from Jodi Piccoult. Before this lady I never really read books that weren't a crime novel. But Piccoult has opened my eyes to a whole host of other genres out there and giving other authors a chance (my literary range only really stretched to books by James Patterson and Janet Evanovich).  

This is a truly gripping story about two people coming together in the most unlikely way and sharing their deepest secrets. The details that Piccoult goes into about the war and what happened are eye opening and deeply moving. I was so lost in the personal accounts of the characters and the emotions that she masterfully conveyed, I just couldn't put the book down at times (which led to a couple of late nights, reading into the early hours). 

The story is written spectacularly as always, and I thoroughly recommend it to everyone. It is quite a long read but definitely worth it. It also makes you think differently about people and circumstances that they are surrounded in.

9 out of 10 bourbon biscuits! 

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Just what kind of mother are you? by Paula Daly

Apologies for the selfie! But this book was so good I had to get in the shot too haha!

I was drawn to this book in the shop by the chilling book cover and tag line at the top; "Your friends child is missing. It's your fault." Now I am a sucker for a crime book, but i usually go for the ones that are predominantly written from the perspective of the detective. This book is slightly different as a lot of it is written from the mothers perspective. I love that, I really connected with her and I really felt for her.  Its a horrible thing to go through and this is conveyed really well.

I also adore Paulas writing style, its so gripping and I was hooked from the beginning, and let me tell you it is an emotional roller coaster ride. In addition to that the ending is brilliant and I definitely didn't see it coming!

8.5 Custard Creams out of 10!  

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Book One! I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes

I Am Pilgrim is the first book I'm going to share and I was really excited about this book because 1) it has a great cover! and 2) its thick so it would last me a while (I'm a super duper quick reader). Now a fair warning, this is a really long book but it is totally worth it! 

Its a complex thriller and you have to pay attention to keep up because there are a lot of details, and its a little slow at the beginning whilst Hayes sets the scene. But it soon picks up and I was hooked. The details Hayes goes into are wonderful and really transport you to the scene. I haven't read a book this detailed but I understand why he has done it, any less detail and the book wouldn't be as epic or gripping. 

What I also like about this book is at the end Terry Hayes writes a message for the reader explaining why he has made it so long, and I'm glad he did! Terry, the novel was definitely worth my time and I had to take a moment when I finished the book to snap back to reality and just soak in the epicness of what I had just read!

10 rich teas out of 10!